July 28, 2013 06:00 AM CDTJuly 26, 2013 12:36 PM CDTSounding Off: Have you seen an increase in crime?

Sounding Off: Have you seen an increase in crime?

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Staff photo by LOUIS DELUCA/DMN

SWAT officers and Dallas Police stand outside a home in Hamilton Park after a police chase to catch a man suspected of fatally shooting his pregnant girlfriend in April.

Published: 28 July 2013 06:00 AM

Updated: 26 July 2013 12:36 PM

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Have you seen an increase in crimes in your area? Is there more you wish your neighbors, or your neighborhood police, were doing to cut down on crime?

Wyman Bess, Carrollton: We the citizens can always do more to reduce crime instead of pointing fingers at the police. We always have three pointing back at us. Our country, I’m sorry to say, is on a very slippery slope when it comes to our morals and integrity, and therein lies the root of our crime rate.

Although we don’t want to admit it, it all comes back to the home. The Rev Tony Evans is right in his description of a messed-up home leading to a messed-up neighborhood, etc. I don’t mean to sound as if the sky is falling, but each year we get further away from the principles and guidelines this great country was founded on.

In many ways we need to get back to the basics. We are fallen people, and each generation slips a little more. Although we talk a good line we seem to lack the nerve or the guts to step back and look at ourselves. I am retired from a major hotel chain that at the time had the philosophy, and the nerve, to critique itself.

That is a foreign concept today. Organizations of all types, to include churches, have conflict, but we either don’t have the ability or the nerve to face reality or facts. As much as we hear about “transparency,” the truth is, by and large, we can’t take the truth.

My point is we fail to face reality and hold ourselves, yes believe it or not, even our own kids, accountable. It’s always someone else’s fault. Months back a young man was shot by police in Dallas when he started running away. Now no one wants someone to get shot, but we have to ask, “Why?” Why start running if you don’t have anything to hide. Do you really think you can outrun the police or that radio?

Several years back my family visited the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. I remember the cards/letters from children implanted in the walk. In the middle was the card from one child that read, “Can’t we all just get along?” Out of the mouths of babes.

Wanda Ferguson, Farmers Branch: I live in Farmers Branch, and I think we have the best law enforcement officers, city manager, city council and all else than any community I know of. It is a well-run city, and I am so thankful and grateful to have lived here 30 years. Not sure, but the crime rate here has probably gone down.

Paul Heller, Farmers Branch: I’m only a few hundred yards from the police headquarters and I live in a small subdivision with a single entrance. Experienced criminals tend to avoid our neighborhood. However, about two weeks ago several neighbors reported their cars parked in their driveways were burgled overnight with some items missing.

It turns out all the cars were unlocked. Duh. Some were left with the trunk open. We figure it was probably inexperienced kids who were at least smart enough to know that slamming a trunk would make noise.

Dan Kasten, Carrollton: While it’s true that a few hot spots like the south side of Chicago are scary places, statistics show that the United States is a much less violent place today than it was a generation ago. In fact, crime of all kinds is at near record lows.

Our streets are safer than they have been in decades. We should stop scaring ourselves and recognize that despite what the 10 o’clock news keeps leading with, we are safer than we have ever been. Our police do an outstanding job, and I thank them for their service.

Connie Martin, Farmers Branch: It appears that crime increases as the population gets larger. Few crimes occur in small villages. Those who follow a life of crime look for the highly populated areas where they can blend into the scenery. I am more aware of crimes like residential burglaries because of the Citizen Observer items on the Internet.

Ron McKillip, Carrollton: I haven’t seen a statistical breakdown of crimes in my city or neighborhood, but I have seen a timely response by police, numerous times, when called by area residents for a variety of reasons. Car and residential crimes are getting a lot of coverage in at least one adjoining city, so lock your cars, take valuables inside and get a dog.

A locked car takes added time for the thief and a barking dog is as good, or better, than any alarm system.

Carolyn Rutkowski, Carrollton: I have not heard about an increase in crime in the Carrollton area. I do note, however, that our neighborhood has taken to keeping a closer eye on their surroundings than in the past.

Harold Simmons, Carrollton: In far north Carrollton, all is well. We seldom even see police cars and no one seems to know of much criminal activity. Even The Dallas Morning News reports of crime in Carrollton seldom references this neck of the woods, and when it does the crimes are mostly petty offenses. Thanks to CPD for what they do. We pray our neighborhood will stay as it is when it comes to criminal activity.

Matt Wenthold, Farmers Branch: Within the city limits of Farmers Branch I feel very safe, both in my person and for my loved ones and for my property. When I’m in other parts of the metroplex, I try to be more aware of my environment and surroundings.

Overall crime statistics are generally meaningless to us as individuals; if you or your loved one is a crime victim, then your crime rate is a 100 percent.

Bill Betzen, Oak Cliff: The crime rate will only become a non-issue as our schools succeed in helping all parents and guardians to help their children develop realistic views of their own futures, both with and without a good education. Goals are the issue. Students we now allow to drop out, or to stumble through school with no goals, become our criminals.

Suzanne Wills, White Rock Hills: The most effective thing that could be done to cut down on crime is to take the lucrative trade of illegal drugs out of the hands of criminals and give production and distribution of those drugs to legitimate business people.

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